Depression

In a rodent model of childhood adversity, escitalopram treatment during adolescence reduced signs of emotional distress. The study also found gene-level changes in the endocannabinoid system, pointing to a possible biological mechanism for the drug’s effectiveness.

A new open-label study suggests that a single dose of psilocybin, combined with psychological support, may reduce symptoms in people with severe treatment-resistant depression. Improvements were sustained for up to 12 weeks, although effects were weaker in those with PTSD.

Researchers investigating the psychedelic drug DOPR discovered that very low doses can enhance motivation in low-performing mice—without triggering behaviors linked to hallucinations. The findings point to the therapeutic potential of psychedelics at doses too low to alter perception.

A new study suggests chronic opioid use may interfere with the brain’s natural ability to respond to placebo antidepressants. Surprisingly, ketamine’s antidepressant effects remained intact—raising intriguing questions about how drugs, expectations, and mood-regulating systems interact.

A new study suggests that the way the brain responds to mistakes could help explain how depression is passed from mothers to daughters. Researchers found that certain neural signals related to error processing were altered in mothers with depression and...

A massive South Korean study suggests that people who keep up regular exercise—or increase it—over several years are less likely to develop depression. The findings underscore the importance of physical activity patterns, not just single snapshots, in mental health outcomes.

A new study links higher body fat in specific regions—like the legs and hips—to greater depression risk, especially in men and people outside the normal weight range.

New findings suggest that the way we relate to ourselves and others could be closely linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety.

A nationwide study shows that people using healthy weight loss methods report fewer depressive symptoms, while those relying on extreme tactics face higher mental health risks.

Flight attendants who prefer late nights and avoid emotional closeness may be more prone to depression. The study highlights how circadian rhythms and attachment styles interact to shape mental health in this high-stress, jetlag-prone profession.

A new study suggests that people who have sex at least once a week are less likely to experience depression.

Many men wrongly assume other men are unwilling to seek help for depression, which may discourage them from seeking help themselves, new research shows.

Childhood trauma may reduce resilience and increase impulsivity, leading to poorer coping in young people with depression, a new study finds.

A new meta-analysis shows that reported antidepressant effects of psychedelics vary widely depending on the study design used.